Honing with a hand brace?

Question

Hi,I've been restoring a farm engine and need to hone the bore before I fit new piston rings. I have one of those three-legged deglazing hones. Apparently these are supposed to be used in a variable speed electric drill, but the one I have doesn't go slowly enough to produce a cross hatch with the recommended 45 degree angles at the sides. I wondered about trying to use a hand brace. What do people think? Also, what kind of oil should I use for honing (I doubt it's critical, but I thought I'd ask)?Best wishes,Chris

wws · Accepted Answer

Chris,Long ago and far away, I even cross hatched a cyl. with hand held sand paper.You may need coarse grit stones doing it that slow.Then prosperity hit and I bought a 1/2 inch drill motor at a pawn shop.Covered in cement, shorted cord, bad switch, and all.500 rpm, i think.Went to trans fluid from 30wt so I could see better, do it quicker, but the oil is probably better.Do NOT minimize the clean up afterward - lots of soap and water, trans fluid wipes, solvent, until a paper towel comes out like new.wws

PrecisionMachinisT · Answer

Suggest simply plug the trigger on and off to limit rpms while stroking thehone up/ down is all you probly need to do.Otherwise it will take you forever and a day with a hand bit and brace typesetup

Bugs · Answer

Use a low speed 1/2" drill if you don't want your arms to drop off. Usemineral oil as lube. It's dirt cheap and the principal component ofmost high$ oils.Bugs

Honing with a hand brace?

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